Healthy Father’s Day Meals to Make with Your Dad

From a Sunday roast to cupcakes that will leave you wanting more, we cover our top picks for family meal favourites.

If you’re lucky enough to spend Father’s Day (that’s 16 June by the way, in case you forgot) with your dad this year, why not treat him to something extra special? Instead of ordering in or waiting for mom to cook up a storm, you should cook for him or better yet, cook together and have a day filled with bonding over tasty food.

We’ve included recipes that are kid-friendly, a delicious roast and the ultimate luxury – breakfast in bed. Our recipes will have you comfortably full the entire day and we have even thrown in some cheeky cupcakes (it’s Father’s Day, you’re allowed a treat or two!).

Make sure your hands are properly clean before you begin (the golden rule of the kitchen!).

While you’re here, read this: Men’s Health Month: 5 ways to give the gift of health this Father’s Day

Tasty Father’s Day Meals to Make With/For Your Dad

Banana Pancakes

First up is breakfast, the most important meal of the day! There’s nothing better than pancakes for breakfast, you should try out this simple recipe (we’ve even thrown some bacon in!).

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup quick-cook oats (70 g)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 pack of bacon (optional)

Method

1. Start by frying up the bacon in a pan, if you’ve chosen to do this bacon-free, skip to step 2.
2. Mash bananas in a large bowl until smooth. Mix in eggs and vanilla until well combined, then mix in oats and cinnamon.
3. Heat a flat pan to medium and add in a scoop of the pancake batter. Smooth out to form an even layer.
4. Cook for about 2-3 minutes until you start to see bubbles releasing from the top of the batter. Flip and cook until the other side is golden brown, about 1-2 minutes.
5. Garnish your pancakes with your favourite toppings!
6. Tip: Use ½ cup (65g) for scooping the batter to yield 4 thicker pancakes; Use ⅓ cup (40g) to yield 6 smaller pancakes.
7. Enjoy!

The Ultimate Family Roast

There are few things in life that beat a delicious family roast with all the sides. Delicious chicken, an array of veggies and roasted potatoes… (sorry we’re drooling now, let’s get into the recipe).

Ingredients

• 1 small onion, peeled and quartered
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and quartered
• 3 sprigs fresh tarragon
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 2-2.5kg chicken, giblets removed
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 4 potatoes
• Mixed veggies

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Place onion, garlic, tarragon and thyme into the cavity of the chicken. Tie the legs together with kitchen string, mostly closing the cavity opening.
3. Pull the wings so the tips overlap on top of the breast; tie in place, wrapping the string around the wings and body.
4. Rub the chicken with oil, salt and pepper and some chicken spice. Set in a roasting pan, breast-side down.
5. Roast the chicken for 25 minutes. Turn breast-side up and continue roasting, basting occasionally with pan juices, until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, without touching bone, registers 80°C, then continue roasting for 1¼ – 1½ hours.
6. Transfer to a cutting board; let rest for 10 minutes. Remove the string before carving.

Take a look at this recipe for the ultimate roasted potatoes.

The most delicious mixed veggies recipe awaits you here.

Discover: Why you need carbohydrates in your diet!

Cheeky Cupcakes

To finish off the perfect day filled with scrumptious meals, love and an amazing time together, you need something sweet. These cheeky chocolate cupcakes are the way to go.

Ingredients

• 150g plain Greek yoghurt
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 175g golden caster sugar
• 140g self-raising flour (swap 1 tbsp of flour for cocoa powder)
• 100g ground almonds
• 175g unsalted butter, melted

For the chocolate icing

• 100g chocolate (milk or dark)
• 140g unsalted butter
• 140g icing sugar

Method

1. Line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases and heat oven to 190°C (fan) or 170°C (gas).
2. In a jug, mix the yoghurt, eggs and vanilla extract.
3. Put the dry ingredients, plus a pinch of salt, into a large bowl and make a well in the middle.
4. Add the yoghurty mix and melted butter, and quickly fold in with a spatula or metal spoon – don’t overwork it.
5. Spoon into the cases (they will be quite full) and bake for 18-20 mins or until golden, risen and springy to the touch.
6. Cool for a few mins, then lift the cakes onto a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze as soon as possible.

Chocolate icing

1. Melt the chocolate in the microwave on high for 1½ mins, stirring halfway. Leave to cool.
2. Beat the butter and icing sugar in a large bowl until creamy. Beat in the chocolate.
3. Cover and chill for up to one month.
4. Up to 48 hrs before serving, bring back to room temperature, then spread over the cakes. Put the chocolate buttons on.
5. Keep cool, out of direct sunlight.
6. Indulge in the chocolatey deliciousness!

We hope these recipes offer you the perfect day to spend with family, enjoying delicious food and each other’s company. Your dad deserves the best!

Read next: 3 Proven Ways to Reduce Stress & Enjoy Life More

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